Pune: Confusion has gripped housing societies installing rooftop solar systems after reports of a proposed ‘grid support charge’ (GSC), even as the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) said no final decision has been taken.
The proposed charge — ₹1.96 per unit on surplus solar power exported to the grid and later drawn for common facilities such as lifts, lights and water pumps — had raised concerns among societies aiming to eliminate electricity bills through solar energy.
Several housing societies, particularly those installing systems above 10 kW, fear the move could significantly increase annual costs and impact the financial viability of their projects.
However, MSEDCL denied any such decision. “We have not taken any decision to levy grid support charges. Some rooftop solar manufacturers are misleading consumers by claiming that MSEDCL will impose GSC,” said Bharat Pawar, chief public relations officer of MSEDCL.
The issue comes at a time when rooftop solar adoption is being promoted through central schemes such as the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, which offers subsidies of up to ₹78,000 for small installations. Many housing societies, however, have opted for larger systems to offset common electricity consumption.
The controversy also stems from regulatory developments. In June 2025, the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), while hearing petitions against the proposed GSC, had pulled up MSEDCL for delays in implementing the Rooftop Renewable Energy (First Amendment) Regulations, 2023, and directed it to issue necessary circulars. The charge, however, has not been implemented so far.
{{/usCountry}}The controversy also stems from regulatory developments. In June 2025, the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), while hearing petitions against the proposed GSC, had pulled up MSEDCL for delays in implementing the Rooftop Renewable Energy (First Amendment) Regulations, 2023, and directed it to issue necessary circulars. The charge, however, has not been implemented so far.
{{/usCountry}}Industry experts warned that if introduced, the GSC could impose a significant financial burden. “For societies investing in solar to become energy self-reliant, such a charge would act like an unfair tax,” said Sameer Gandhi of Greennergy Sustainable.
Civic activist Vivek Velankar said the move could slow adoption. “Most installations above 10 kW are by housing societies. If additional charges are imposed, fewer societies may opt for solar,” he said.
MSEDCL, however, maintained that concerns are being amplified by aggressive marketing. Pawar said some companies are pushing oversized systems by promising returns through sale of surplus power. “The grid has limitations in absorbing excess electricity. Large-scale surplus generation cannot be fully utilised due to infrastructure constraints,” he said, adding that upgrading the grid to handle such volumes is currently not feasible.
Housing society representatives have termed the proposal contradictory to government policy. Suhas Patwardhan, chairman of the Pune District Cooperative Housing Federation, said, “On one hand, the government is promoting solar energy, and on the other, such charges discourage adoption.”
Advisory for societies
Amid the uncertainty, experts have advised societies to optimise usage patterns to minimise potential impact. Manoj Patil of the All India Renewable Energy Association said, “Societies should maximise daytime consumption of solar power and consider storing excess energy through inverters for use during evening hours. System size should also match actual consumption.”
While some in the industry claim the charge may be implemented from April 2026, MSEDCL has denied any such move, leaving housing societies awaiting clarity.